What?

[Cooldown: 47]

I looked at the screen.

Then at the Minotaur.

Then back at the cooldown.

My mind raced through every possible way I could win this fight.

"Shit."

My grip tightened around my sword.

"My level and stats are too low."

I had only just arrived in this world, and I was already fighting monsters that could probably crush me with one swing.

It was almost funny.

Just a little while ago, I had been sitting in a library, looking down on the original Time Hero.

Calling him weak.

Calling the author an idiot.

Thinking I could do better.

Now?

I was standing in the exact same dungeon.

Facing the exact same monster.

And I finally understood something.

"Wait."

I looked at the Minotaur.

"No."

A grin slowly formed on my face.

"I'm better."

Unlike the original Time Hero...

I actually had a chance at survival.

I didn't have to kill this thing.

I didn't have to prove anything right now.

I just had to live.

And the best way to survive right now was obvious.

"Run!"

I immediately poured all four of my Attribute Points into Agility.

[AGI: 15 → 19]

The change wasn't dramatic.

But my body felt...

Lighter.

Faster.

More responsive.

[TIME HERO]

Name: Takumi Tokida

Level: 2

EXP: 30 / 60

STR: 14

AGI: 19

VIT: 13

DEX: 12

INT: 5

Mana Pool: 10/10

ATT:

Fire

Wind

Lightning

Sound

Ice

Unique Skill: [Pause <IN-USE>]

Duration: 5 seconds

Cooldown: 60 seconds

I turned around.

And made a break for it.

"See ya!"

The Minotaur roared and charged after me.

I ran, much faster than before. My increased Agility was definitely making a difference.

But the Minotaur was still gaining on me.

"Come on!"

I pushed my legs harder. The sound of heavy footsteps thundered behind me.

BOOM.

BOOM.

BOOM.

I glanced back.

It was getting closer.

"Seriously?!"

I turned my attention back to the path ahead.

Then—

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"You've got to be kidding me."

Two massive figures stood ahead. Two Gravefang Minotaurs. I stared at them. Then slowly looked behind me. There was still that minotaur charging toward me.

I was surrounded.

"Is this a Gravefang Minotaur lair?!"

The three monsters roared.

"Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?"

The Minotaur behind me reached me first.

I jumped aside. Its greatsword slammed into the ground. I spun around and slashed at its arm. The blade barely scratched it.

Another Minotaur charged from the side.

I ducked.

A massive hammer passed over my head.

"Whoa!"

I stumbled forward.

The third Minotaur swung.

I tried to dodge.

Too slow.

Its weapon smashed into the ground beside me, sending me rolling across the dungeon floor.

I scrambled back to my feet.

"Okay..."

I breathed heavily.

"My Agility definitely increased."

Another attack came.

I dodged.

Barely.

Then another.

I stumbled.

The hammer came down.

I threw myself sideways.

The ground exploded where I'd been standing.

"Still can't dodge properly..."

I gritted my teeth.

I couldn't keep this up.

One mistake.

That's all it would take.

A greatsword swung toward me.

I stepped backward.

Another Minotaur blocked my escape.

"Shit!"

The first Minotaur slammed its shoulder into me.

I flew backward.

My back crashed against the dungeon wall.

"AGH!"

Blood filled my mouth. I slid down the wall. One of the Minotaurs raised its weapon and charged.

It wanted to finish me with one blow.

I looked up.

A bloody grin spread across my face.

"Big mistake."

The Minotaur was almost upon me.

"My cooldown ended long ago."

I slowly raised my hand.

"Pause."

Everything stopped.

The Minotaurs froze.

The hammer stopped inches from my face.

The falling dust hung motionless in the air.

[00:04]

I moved.

Fast.

Much faster than before.

I grabbed one of the Minotaurs.

"Come on..."

I pushed.

My increased Agility didn't help with raw strength, but it let me move around the frozen battlefield far more efficiently.

I shoved the Minotaur toward the path of the hammer.

[00:03]

"Almost..."

I pushed again.

"Come on!"

[00:02]

The hammer-wielding Minotaur stood frozen with its weapon raised.

I repositioned its ally directly beneath the attack.

Then I ran.

[00:01]

I threw myself backward.

[00:00]

Time resumed.

[Cooldown Begins: 59]

BOOOOOOM!

The hammer came down with devastating force.

The impact shook the dungeon.

Dust exploded everywhere.

I covered my face.

When the dust began to clear, I looked toward the two Minotaurs.

The hammer-wielding Minotaur was still standing.

Its ally was still standing too.

My eyes widened.

"...What?"

The Minotaur slowly pulled its hammer back.

The other Gravefang Minotaur staggered but remained upright.

I stared at them.

Then at the hammer.

Then back at them.

"Shit."